2. What is the difference between gross motor skills and fine motor skills?

The children go through a series of changes during their development growth and at every stage
of their young lives important milestones are achieved. Some activities as simple and trivial as they may
seem to us plays a vital role that are primarily focused on the development of fine and gross motor
skills. Even when these activities can be identified by specific age groups it is important to remember
that “individual differences in maturation rates, temperaments and adult and social influences mean
that age is not a definitive indicator of where a particular child is along the development continuum”
(Ozretich, 2001). Parents are usually aware of gross motor skills are because it is a milestone in their
child’s life as he or she develops. There are significant differences between fine and gross motor skills.
Motor skills are the motions that work in conjunction with the nervous system, the brain and the
muscles working together. Hence, fine motor skills are the movements made such as picking up a ball
using the smaller muscles like fingers, wrist etc.Fine motor skills, skills that involve a refined use of the
small muscles controlling the hand, fingers, and thumb. The development of these skills allows one to be
able to complete tasks such as writing, drawing, and buttoning.Gross motor skills are the larger
movements like walking and sitting that uses larger muscles in the legs.These are typically large
movements of the arms, legs, head, and torso. These skills begin to develop first.

3.What you should do more often for infants and toddlers

As mentioned before, the first year of life is a time when babies strengthen their muscles and bones and
learn how to use their bodies to move around and to manipulate their environment. If babies are
constantly held and carried during the first year, they will lose valuable opportunities to gain fine-tune
skills. Parents and caregivers should facilitate movement and growth by giving babies safe environments
to play and to explore on their own.

And talking about the emotional development of the toodlers it is important to know that as a parent
you need to help a toddler’s emotional development create a safe and loving environment for the
toddler to learn in. Caregivers should understand that each toddler is different and has different needs.
Attending to each individual child in a well-organized and inviting learning environment is essential
during his stage early childhood development.

The best option is to allow babies to safely explore and practice their cruising and walking skills while
allowing parents and caregivers to supervise while doing other tasks is creating a larger-scale play yard.
Caregivers can pick a space in their home or office that is convenient to other locations in the house, for
example, a downstairs den that's near the kitchen and laundry room. Multiple such spaces, for example
one on each level, allow easier supervision. To partition this space from other living spaces, use baby
gates or other baby-safe enclosure devices to block access to dangerous places such as kitchens, stairs,
fireplaces, expensive collectibles, etc.
Remove any dangerous objects from that area, such as window blind cords; sharp-edged glass coffee
tables, and small objects that can cause choking. Leave things like couches, soft chairs, and coffee tables
with surfaces that allow baby to hold on and use to cruise. Caregivers can purchase or create their own
corner pads and other child safety tools (see childproofing article). Once again, with a little time, effort,
and common sense, parents can create a safe and fun place where infants can learn and practice their
motor skill.

4. What you should refrain from doing to facilitate their growth and development?

Simple things in a day like making sure infants are getting a nutritious meal and toddlers are getting
plenty of physical activity can make a difference in how they develop. To accommodate all toddlers
during activities is just making sure you are accommodating all types of learners through visual,
auditory, and physical examples! By asking a child to kick a ball you are promoting their muscle
development through auditory commands which is maybe how the child learns best. These different
learning styles also make sure that all the children are engaged in the activity.

For young infants

Review or observe the physical surrounding in which infants play and interact to ensure safety of the
environment.

Engage in one-on-one play or conversation—take the infant’s lead and follow her or his interests.

Introduce turn-taking games like rolling a ball back and forth or peekaboo.

Use simple words and signs to help express young infants’ needs.

Maintain a consistent, predictable schedule involving responsive routines.

For Toodlers

Appreciate and encourage prosocial behavior.

Provide acceptable alternatives to behaviors.

Teach feeling words to help toddlers express strong emotions.

Use redirection, distraction and active listening with toddlers who say, “No” or are having trouble
cooperating.

Use simple words and demonstrate to explain limits.

Use positive wording and language with toddlers, for example, “Please walk,” as opposed to “Don’t run.”

Begin to offer supports for negotiating materials and ideas, e.g., “I would like to use the truck in 5
minutes” or “Can I be next?”
5. Reflect on the quotation below the title of this Module.

I haven't heard it before, but I can tell you how I'd interpret it…

The baby is seen as a newness of life. It's fresh and unsullied by sin and cynicism. It can appear to a
person as a sign of hope. Take a look at a lot of science fiction in which the continuity of life as a species
is in question. A baby is seen as THE hope. Look at the joy on the faces of most parents of a newborn
child.

It's God's opinion that life should go on because only He has ever created life. Scientists have put
together building blocks of life (genetic engineering and in vitro fertilization are examples), but have yet
to create life out of inorganic materials (which occurred according to both Evolutionary Theory and
Creationism). If life shouldn't go on God could stop it in an instant, but a baby shows that not to be the
case.